Jakarta's 499th Anniversary Celebrations Draw Crowds to Bundaran HI

Jakarta - Residents began crowding the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area in Central Jakarta on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the peak celebration of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary. Observations at the location showed officers conducting sound system checks while playing musical instruments from the stage. Across the stage, officers were seen arranging decorative flowers around seats designated for the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung Wibowo, and officials from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. By 12:47 WIB, the Betawi-themed decorations at the event site were nearly complete. The upper floor of the Transjakarta Bundaran HI Astra bus stop was also adorned with typical Betawi ornaments, such as ondel-ondel effigies. Traffic conditions began to congest as the area prepared for road closures starting at 14:00 WIB. Despite the ongoing preparations, the public showed great enthusiasm, taking photographs around the venue. Many families were seen strolling around the Bundaran HI area with their children while waiting for the event to begin. One attendee, Rohim (31) from Depok, brought his wife and children to enjoy the peak celebration of Jakarta’s anniversary. ‘Just to fill the weekend. I also want to watch the music performances. I heard there are various musicians,’ Rohim said. ‘The children are on school holidays, so I brought them here for a holiday. At the same time, we are visiting my younger sibling in Jakarta,’ he added. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will implement traffic diversions on several roads during the peak celebration of the city’s 499th anniversary at Bundaran HI. ‘Because 27-28 June marks the peak of DKI Jakarta’s anniversary, on 27 June we will implement traffic management on several roads, namely Jalan Bundaran HI to Dukuh Atas, M.H. Thamrin, Jalan Mas Mansyur, Jalan Sutan Syahrir, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jalan Kotabumi, Jalan Teluk Betung, and Jalan Sumenep,’ said DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. Pramono stated that the traffic diversions would be in effect from 14:00 to 23:00 WIB due to the peak anniversary event at Bundaran HI in the afternoon. He added that Bhayangkara Day would also be held on Sunday (28/6), necessitating traffic management in the Sudirman-Thamrin area. ‘Because all activities are centred in Sudirman-Thamrin, the Car Free Day in Kuningan or Rasuna Said on 28 June will be cancelled so that everything is concentrated on Jalan Sudirman, Thamrin, and the surrounding areas,’ Pramono explained.